Favorite Quotes from the Man of Law's Tale

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the "Man of Law's Tale" from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. I chose them mainly because they say something about human nature, or something as true back then as it is today, or something just plain funny. 

Note:  The words are from Burton Raffel's 2008 translation, which I found to be easier to read than the more common translations that preceded it. With what little comparisons I did, mainly using the "Miller's Tale", I'm fairly sure Raffel's translation tells just about the same story.

From the Introduction:
Time's like some stream that never turns again ...'property lost can be recovered, but time Once gone will surely ruin us'	22
Without a doubt, it never comes again, Just like a wayward woman's virginity	28
With telling stories in English, as he's able, Borrowing from our ancient languages and fables?	46
It hardly matters, these days, that Chaucer stands As the head of the field, for I speak prose, and rhymes Are his professional business, not at all mine.	92
From the Prologue:
Oh horrible state, to be living in poverty! By thirst, by cold, by hunger torn apart! Asking for help shames you, wounds your heart, But asking no one doubles tears and grief:	1
You gripe at your neighbor, angry and sinfully, Declare you have too little, he has too much.	10
Your brother despises the poor, despises you, And whatever friends you had will run at your sight!	22
Oh wealthy merchants, living in delight, You're never haunted by dark and dreamless nights, Remembering chances fumbled, business lost, At Christmas time you're merry, whatever the cost!	25
From the Tale:
Kindness and courtesy like a workman's tools;	33
The counselors discussed this situation, Wrangling this way and that, some taking one view, Some taking another, with complex explanations,	71
Husbands, of course, can be good, have been so before. Wives know that.	132
We women are born to servitude and penance, Alway's ruled by some man's governance.	146
O careless Emperor of Rome, alas! Were there no astronomers in your city?	169
The necessary calculations are known, But humankind is too dull, or else too slow.	174
...cold water won't be painful!	121
However his wife has been christened, white As snow, how can she wash away the red, No matter what barrels of Christian water she has?	215
For spoiling a Christian marriage your rod And tool will once again be a sinful woman! Lying and deceit by women fulfill your plan.	229
O sudden disaster, which always follows after Worldly bliss, sprouted by bitterness!	282
Whenever you're bright and gay, always remember The unknown sorrow, waiting to make you surrender.	287
As over him, devil's destruction, you once Extended your arms in shelter, O cross, give me That same protection, lend me the strength to go on.	322
There once was a man, Daniel... Who saved him? God, and God alone, saved Daniel.	333
One of them was blind, unable to see With his eyes, but even so he could see with his mind, As some men can, when their sight is gone, and they're blind.	412
Came walking down the path that led to the sea, Intending to find whatever there was to see,	417
He used a young knight, living there in that town, Heated him up with love of a nature quite foul And turned him absolutely so upside down The Knight was convinced he'd either have her or die.	447
Those who'd thought she was truly guilty shook With fear, filled with repentance, for she had been close To death, falsely accused, but innocent.	541
...even the holiest of wives Must marry patiently, and know that at night Such things must happen as mankind always delights in, ...putting holiness aside For a while, for that is marriage's plan and design.	569
...drunk to the top of your head, Your breath is stronger by far than your arms or legs, And secrets stay as safe with you as eggs in a cuckoo's nest. Your brains are scrambled,... Nothing's secret, when drunkards take their place.	632
The letter's handwriting, too, was identified, And all the venom behind this cursed deed,	750
O, licentious lust, foul and often Fatal! You weaken the minds of men, but soften Their muscles, too, the easier to destroy them.	785
No one, I warn you, can dream Of keeping worldly happiness for more Than a very short time, for joy in this world can't last, Changing back and forth as days go past.	984
And now I pray Jesus Christ to send us Joy after woe	1013

Reference:
Geoffrey Chaucer. The Canterbury Tales. ca. 1390. Trans. Burton Raffel. Modern Library. 2008.

History of Liberalism

I bought a fantastic 1975 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica a few months ago. The articles on anarchy, conservatism, fascism, and liberalism are excellent. I learned more on these topics here than I have anywhere else in my 55 years. Here are some interesting notes on liberalism:

• Classical liberalism sought to shrink government power and responsibility.
• Modern liberalism seeks to expand government power and responsibility.
• Both are hostile to the concentration of power that threatens individual freedom and prevents individuals from reaching their potential.
• Liberalism promotes liberty and the pursuit of happiness.   

• Conservatives avoid change - presumably to preserve their privileged status.
• Radicals seek rapid change - presumably because they're desperate for a change.
• Liberals encourage useful change but try to avoid irrational change.

• Classical liberalism began in the Middle Ages.
• It was a movement to liberate the rising middle class from the authoritarian rule of aristocracies and monarchies.
• The middle class developed from merchants and craftsmen in cities--not from peasants working in agriculture under feudal lordship.
• The Industrial Age grew from the merchant class.
• Classical liberalism promoted Adam Smith economics.
• Over time industrialists grew into a new authoritarian class.
• Modern liberalism shifted focus towards liberating individuals from domineering industrialists.
• Liberals enlisted the aid of democratic governments to get the upper hand.
• They fought industrialists with trade unions and government regulations.
• Modern liberals promote Keynesian economics.

If you ever get a chance to buy an old set of Britannica, I highly recommended it. Sometimes there's nothing like reading a real book. And if you get an old edition, all the history and most of the biographies and sociology will still be up to date. Look on craigslist!

Reference:
"Liberalism", Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1975, vol. 10, pp. 846-851.

Striking Observations from the Wife of Bath's Tale

From Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales:

• The Wife of Bath shows us that women of the Middle Ages could actually be a force to be reckoned with--not just a pretty face, a passive housewife, or a damsel in distress.

• I've actually met women in my own life just like the wife of Bath. They were confident, self-centered, and talkative, yet interesting and alluring.

Once again, The Canterbury Tales shows us that history changes the world but human nature stays the same. In the 21st century we still have the same jealousies, sympathies, personalities, and social ordering. The setting is different of course. Now we have the Internet, air conditioning, and auto-tune, for example, but human nature is the same.

Reference:
Geoffrey Chaucer. The Canterbury Tales. ca. 1390. Trans. Burton Raffel. Modern Library. 2008.